Reduces board; cuts staff
Coalition to focus attention on equipping
PCUSA decisions makers, primarily at GA
The Presbyterian Coalition , October 24, 2012
The Presbyterian Coalition has been evaluating its mission since the 2012 General Assembly. Believing the Presbyterian Church (USA) is officially in a holding pattern, causing orthodox/ evangelicals to be cautious about the future, the Coalition Board has made significant organizational changes.
This caution is based on the observation of trends within the denomination, including
- the official actions of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission last spring, allowing the ordination of committed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.
- the closure at this year’s General Assembly of all doors related to “relief of conscience” possibilities for evangelicals.
- questionable rulings by the stated clerk and moderator during the assembly, detaching confessional teaching from constitutional governance.
Nothing particularly controversial has been sent back to the presbyteries for ratification; by a very close vote, the definition of marriage was not changed to include same-sex couples. But the Coalition has seen a dramatic reduction of interest in working the polity or “fighting the battles” within our system of government. Evangelicals are quietly withdrawing, either out of the denomination or into a renewed sense of call to their local ministries, and making conscious choices to redirect their energies away from national polity concerns.
All these changes have resulted in a drastic downturn in financial contributions to the Coalition’s work. After polling constituents, consulting with renewal partners throughout the PCUSA, and prayerfully deliberating as a Board, the Presbyterian Coalition has decided the wisest course of action is to streamline its operation and refine its focus for the future.
The organization has decided to reduce the size of its Board, to operate as a completely volunteer organization, and to focus its attention on “informing, strengthening and equipping Biblically faithful decision-makers in the PCUSA primarily at the General Assembly level.” Ties with other organizations in the Presbyterian Renewal Network are being strengthened, and the group’s highest priority will be the preparation of commissioners to the 2014 General Assembly in Detroit.
One practical effect of this change is the immediate cessation of activity for a year, while there is little to do but maintain a mailing list. The Coalition will no longer have a paid staff, so Dr. Mary Holder Naegeli’s role as executive director and Sarah Hill’s as administrative director are completed. Incorporation documents are being moved to the state of Texas, where Secretary-Treasurer Wally Warrenburg lives, and the Coalition will retain its 501(c)3 status so that donations to the work remain tax-deductible.
In October 2013, the new Board will coordinate the 2014 GA effort by recruiting a GA Team, organizing commissioner equipping, raising funds for our GA presence, and establishing networks of elected evangelical commissioners to inform them of issues coming to the assembly. At the 2014 assembly in Detroit, the group will provide a hospitality center and a nightly briefing session to help commissioners keep up with the business.
The new Board comprises Mary Holder Naegeli, moderator (San Francisco Presbytery); Jon Tony, vice-moderator (Mississippi); Wally Warrenburg, secretary-treasurer (Mission); Bill Teng (National Capital); and Gale Watkins (Grand Canyon). A sixth director is likely to be added.
The website www.presbycoalition.org will stay up, and the prime contact person for the Coalition will be Naegeli (mary@presbycoalition.org). Warrenburg will receive donations and earmark them for the 2014 effort. Information will appear on the Coalition website shortly, using the new Texas address.
In its letter to supporters, the Coalition made the following statement:
“Please know that as we streamline our operation we are no less committed to the refounding of the PCUSA around Biblical authority and behavioral faithfulness. We understand that our role is to specialize in polity at the national level, and will do everything we can to give godly leadership where needed to coordinate the efforts of evangelicals. As we engage in the polity, we hope you will engage in the faithful work of the church to teach, preach, make disciples, nurture them in the faith, and demonstrate the Kingdom of God where you live. We know that your local and regional ministries require a certain kind of environment we hope to foster, so that you have room to move within the PCUSA to fulfill God’s calling.”